Camillus Demo Knife.

[IzzyJG99]

This is one piece I've been long wanting to add to my antique collection. Mostly because of the history behind the knives and it's a piece of American Armed Forces history. I'd see many on eBay ranging from the seventies to the late nineties. Despite questions about their "walk" and "talk" being addressed I never really felt secure. If I was going to drop some money on this knife I wanted one in good condition. I know, I know. Hard if you want an antique knife and doubly so if it's one meant for military use.

So while downtown I was browsing at my Antique Mall. Noticed a knife I'd never heard of before. "Swiss Master" scout style from 1976 in a blister pack. Colonial Knife company. Might have to go back for that one....But while I was on bended knee looking at the bottom shelf I look up. Bam. Demo knife. I look instantly at the price tag. $35. Fair. Good. I checked the condition. Amazing. Walk and talk is great. Snap is still there. No wobble at all except for a modest amount on the awl. I took it.




Camillus. 1990. Smells like gun oil, too. Barely millimeter size corrosion on the reverse of the blade. It'll come off easily. A good find, I think.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Nice knife!  I have two- a '74 and '75.  They are no where near as refined as an ALOX Soldier model from Victorinox or Wenger, but still a good solid knife.

The only warning I have is to be careful when using the screwdriver- any twisting can cause it to fold on your fingers.  SAKs have the same problem but they have smaller screwdrivers (less leverage when twisting) and stronger backsprings mean it's a little harder to do it.  Trust me, having one of these fold on your fingers is a really unpleasant experience!

Beauty of a knife though- I look forward to hearing your thoughts once you get it out and start using it!

Def

[IzzyJG99]

Nice knife!  I have two- a '74 and '75.  They are no where near as refined as an ALOX Soldier model from Victorinox or Wenger, but still a good solid knife.

The only warning I have is to be careful when using the screwdriver- any twisting can cause it to fold on your fingers.  SAKs have the same problem but they have smaller screwdrivers (less leverage when twisting) and stronger backsprings mean it's a little harder to do it.  Trust me, having one of these fold on your fingers is a really unpleasant experience!

Beauty of a knife though- I look forward to hearing your thoughts once you get it out and start using it!

Def

As a collector primarily of SAK's (Alox's to a great extent) I agree. Nothing comes close to the Pioneer/Soldiers in quality.

And, yeah. You can tell the tool metal is quite malleable. Considering the mass production and abuse these knives went through obviously Uncle Sam went with "replaceable" as an option. Quite a knife, though. Quality is still good compared to things now a days. The small screwdriver/awl seems to be modified slightly into more of a chisel sharp tip, which actually I prefer. But it's a collection piece so it's not going to see much claymore or M-14 disassembly, you know? Lol.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Oh come on... you know you want to EDC it for a little while at least!   

Def

[IzzyJG99]

Oh come on... you know you want to EDC it for a little while at least!   

Def

Well, I suppose I could tonight while I go to the pub for a cider....Okay. You convinced me.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Careful with a knife at a bar... if anyone has issues with it, it might not be yours anymore.

Def

[IzzyJG99]

Careful with a knife at a bar... if anyone has issues with it, it might not be yours anymore.

Def

Quite a good point. I'm new to the pub scene. Totally forgot the issues that can spring from too much drink and a pointy weapon. Fortunately though my pub is not that kind of establishment.

Did carry the Demo Knife. Good weight on that. I expected it to be heavier because of the all metal construction.

[Grant Lamontagne]

As a doorman I figured I'd better point that one out! 

Def

[IzzyJG99]

As a doorman I figured I'd better point that one out! 

Def

Sounds like a good profession to "confiscate" knives and then add to your own collection. Lol.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Most of the knives you take from people are sh*t.  I had one guy years ago with a Kershaw Speed Safe opener try to get into the bar.  I told him no way- he could put it in his car or he could toss it in our box, but it wasn't going in.  The girl with him said "even if he has a license to carry it?"   

There is no license to carry a knife, and even if there was, private property has it's own rules.  I should have told the bimbo that her boyfriend wasn't really that awesome because there's no such thing as a knife license, but I figured it was none of my business.  If she was that dumb then maybe this idiot was the best she was going to get anyway! 

Def

[IzzyJG99]

That's how it is with me. If I come across something someone dropped that's a knife it's usually not at all worth bending over to pick it up. It's also weird to hear about places that check pocket knives at the door. Down here you'd have a harder time finding someone who isn't carrying a pocket knife than you would someone who is. I've even seen some hardcore hippie kids skateboarding around and as they pass by? Benchies in the pocket. Lol. What can I say? It's the South.

[Grant Lamontagne]

You'd think differently if you'd sen what a Classic knockoff can do on a crowded dancefloor.

Def

[IzzyJG99]

Point taken.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Yup- that was not a fun night.  Never caught the smurf either, just found the knife on the floor when the cleaners were mopping up.

On the other hand I got in trouble one night when a bunch of out of town bikers came into another bar I was working at, openly wearing fixed blades.  This was more of a local tavern while the Classic incident and the "licensed knife guy" were at a downtown club, so a much more relaxed atmosphere and no crowds.  I spotted the knives on these guys as soon as they came in the door, and I greeted them. 

Bikers are a great lot if you know how their society works.  Basically, let them know when they come in that they aren't going to be harassed, but make sure you talk to them as equals and you probably won't ever have issues with them.  The owners of the bar on the other hand were watching the bikers on camera and called me into the office to tell me I had to go and either get rid of them or make them get rid of the knives.  Fortunately these owners were smart enough to listen to me when I told them that these guys wouldn't be a problem.  Harass them on small stuff and they'll lose respect and maybe trash the place.  Smile, nod, let them see you and realize that you aren't going to be a pain in their ass and you get along great.

In the end, I didn't get killed, the bartender got a good tip and I have a few more friends with Satan's Choice! 

Def

[IzzyJG99]

I grew up about 2 miles from a rather rowdy bar just outside the city limits. County rules differ from city rules when it comes to the flow of the libations here. Called...wait for it...

"Da'Moon." and the sign was 25 feet tall nude lady outlined in neon lights.

A lot of blue flashing lights came from that place. Primarily bikers and as you can imagine...Florida....Bike Week...Biketoberfest. So it was quite a place. It's gone now, but now replaced one block away by a place simply called "Double Cross Tavern."

I wish I was kidding. Lol.

[Pacu]

That's how it is with me. If I come across something someone dropped that's a knife it's usually not at all worth bending over to pick it up. It's also weird to hear about places that check pocket knives at the door. Down here you'd have a harder time finding someone who isn't carrying a pocket knife than you would someone who is. I've even seen some hardcore hippie kids skateboarding around and as they pass by? Benchies in the pocket. Lol. What can I say? It's the South.

u from Texas too 

[IzzyJG99]

u from Texas too 

Lol. Florida. So close.

[MultiMat]

You need to plan ahead when you deploy a Demo's knife  "Why I ortta stab ya ...... just give me a minute ... just hang on I will be right with you.......".

The father of all nail breakers the Demo knife  . I wonder if it got it's name from all the finger nails it Demolished 

[Pacu]

i got mine up in Ohio at a trades day while visiting the wifes family. 1969 brand new looking.

i want to get ahold of my birthyear , maybe a USMC branded one too

[Grant Lamontagne]

I think it was Steven Dick, Editor of Tactical Knives *and Vietnam vet) who said that war was like a camping trip with someone trying to kill you.

To me a military knife should be a good camping type knife with the tools you need to maintain your equipment.  It's not a Rambo type situation where you are going to be trying to silently take out sentries with your knife or stabbing soldiers face to face when your ammo runs out. 

I may be wrong crediting that quote, but the truth of it is that a good multifunction pocket knife would be more at home with the average soldier than the big ass sharpened prybars many companies are producing would be.

Def

[IzzyJG99]

To me a military knife should be a good camping type knife with the tools you need to maintain your equipment.  It's not a Rambo type situation where you are going to be trying to silently take out sentries with your knife or stabbing soldiers face to face when your ammo runs out. 
Def

I agree. Something to use as a camp knife as well as a tool kit for field stripping your weapon, cutting trip lines and activating claymores. Nothing so CQB as taking out a man Rambo style.

What does the US Issue now anyway?

[Sazabi]

Aside from the Gerber MP600 for a multitool, with the exception of some survival knives in survival packs, I believe it's up to a soldier's personal preference, so long as it fits within his or her company's regulations.

[IzzyJG99]

Aside from the Gerber MP600 for a multitool, with the exception of some survival knives in survival packs, I believe it's up to a soldier's personal preference, so long as it fits within his or her company's regulations.

I guess they figure the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines will buy something at the PX or Commissary. Given the choice between something that is GI issue and buying something that I know is probably better...I'd go with purchasing my own stuff. But it's been like that since time and memorial when the British soldiers got sick of revolvers and just bought Mauser pistols for themselves. Churchill credits the "Broomhandle" as saving his life after he stupidly stopped during a cavalry charge (his fellow horsemen riding away) in the Sudan and found himself surrounded by the enemy.